Transaero shifts flights to Vnukovo

Transaero, Russia’s second largest airline, is moving all of its Moscow flights to Vnukovo airport (VKO) from October 25, i.e. the beginning of the winter season. The move will simplify transfer for passengers traveling via Moscow, the airline stresses. Transaero also expects that flights to/from Vnukovo will boost the efficiency of its passenger and aircraft service operations, a spokesperson told Russian Aviation Insider.

The airline has been operating out of Vnukovo since 2012; however, up to now its second Moscow base has been Domodedovo (DME). This summer Transaero operated flights to 86 destinations from Vnukovo and to 78 destinations from Domodedovo. The carrier also used to fly from Sheremetyevo until leaving that airport in 2014 and promising to return after reconstruction of the North Terminal Complex, provisionally at some point in 2018.

According to an assessment by Fitch, published on September 10, 2015, Transaero accounts for 15% of Domodedovo’s total traffic. As for Vnukovo, the airport reported at the end of 2014 that 16.3% of its traffic was generated by Transaero.

On the one hand, Transaero’s relocation to Vnukovo could help that airport make up for the loss of traffic associated with UTair’s shrinking schedule. On the other hand, the future of Transaero, which is currently undergoing restructuring processes and may be merged with Aeroflot, is as yet unclear. Aeroflot has already announced its intention to downsize Transaero’s 100-ship fleet by up to 70%.

Powered by Air Transport Observer, Russia & CIS’ premier information provider on commercial aviation with a 20-year legacy, Russian Aviation Insider provides you with timely and reliable business news, insights and analysis on commercial aviation all around CIS.